It's 5.30pm and I've a massive headache. My back has been playing up all day and I'm feeling exhausted, surely I can miss training this week. I think that even though I have been progressing in class, a day off won't hurt my progression, I could do with just relaxing.Last week when one of my best friends asked me to help whilst drilling a technique, I got punched in the face, accidently of course. It's nice to know that in some small way I can be of use to someone, even if I came out worse for wear. I love training with him, he pushes me to places and I give it back tenfold, I know we both got so much out of it. On top of all that my car seriously needs looking at, it doesn't feel safe at all to drive. Surely this week they won't miss me being there, man, I so need a night off, this headache is getting worse. Realistically I'm just not up for it tonight, everyone else has time off, they wont miss me tonight. It's 6pm now and class starts in half an hour, I feel really fatigued.I reach for my coat reluctantly, my keys and my training bag that contain my focus mitts. Do we have any pain killers? I quickly dash across the house to the kitchen cabinet where we keep the first aid box. My pulse is racing now, time is running out, I scramble out into the cold night air and throw my bag on the back seat of the car and fire up the engine.I arrive with five minutes to spare, my head is throbbing and my back is in serious pain. Walking across the room, I nod at a couple of good friends getting ready for a great evenings training. With a smile on my face I beckon "great to see you all, line up and let's get on with it". Yes I would of liked a night off, but as always I turn up, the same way I have for the past twenty years. I turn up because they do, they being my friends, my training partners, my students.No excuses, week in, week out, I coach......................flying the flag for the West Country.